NDP’s ‘Vegas’ candidate challenged over nomination irregularities

LOUISEVILLE, Que. – The election results are being challenged in a Quebec riding won by an out-of-town NDPer who never visited during the campaign, who vacationed in Las Vegas instead, and who doesn’t speak French.

The NDP’s opponents are alleging there were other irregularities in the Berthier-Maskinonge riding.

The ousted Bloc Quebecois candidate is making the claim, as are the local Liberal and Conservative candidates.

They are speaking out after an area resident said he and his wife’s signatures were added — without their knowledge — to Ruth Ellen Brosseau’s nomination papers.

Rene Young says he was surprised to see a signature that looked like his on the list of names supporting Brosseau. He says his wife’s name was misspelled.

He says he’s never been interested in politics and doesn’t know Brosseau, other than through media reports.

The Ottawa-area woman has not been since in public since winning the election, and the party is promising to get her some French lessons to help her communicate with her constituents.

The president of the local Liberal riding association says he has complained to Elections Canada.

The Conservative party’s national office says its local candidate demanded a byelection, and that it trusts Elections Canada to make the right call in determining whether there was improper activity.

A spokesman for NDP Leader Jack Layton denies the accusation of irregularities.